Cycling in Killarney

Cycling in Killarney

The Lake Hotel is situated on the main cycling Trails that enter into the Killarney National park. Killarney Bike rental is just a short walk from the Hotel and is situated on the Cycling Trails.

1. Cycling to Muckross Abbey, Muckross House, Meeting of the Waters, Torc Waterfall are just some of the points of interest for this trail.

10 miles / 16 km and very scenic and mostly flat. You will pass the Magnificent Abbey that is Muckross Abbey (1448.AD), The Colleen Bawn Rock, Old Copper Mines, Brickeen Bridge, Dinis Cottage and the Meeting of the Waters. You can walk over the Old Weir Bridge its very scenic, Arbutus the Strawberry Tree grows here in abundance, when ripe its red otherwise you will find Yellow berries. So its back on the bikes and you will arrive at the Main road with cars and buses so be careful for 500 meters before you arrive at Torc Waterfall. Now you can pass the toilets and go under the little tunnel under the road and you are back in the Park with no cars or buses. After 500 meters on the left is Dundag Beach a freshwater beach popular with locals in hot weather, next on the left is the Muckross Boathouse before you arrive at Muckross House & Gardens.

2. Cycling Ross Castle and the Old Copper Mines

Starting at the Lake Hotel head towards the town and to Saint Mary’s Cathedral here is one way to enter the (other National Park) enter through the big gates across the road, there is a beautiful Thatched Cottage called Deenagh lodge which is a tea room and serves refreshments, Pass the front door and straight down the hill until you meet a small bridge, turn right and stay on the roadway until you eventually meet another turn go right and follow the signs for Ross Castle. At Ross Castle, you can visit the Castle, take Boat trips on the Lakes, Visit Innisfallen Island. If you cycle past the Castle you will arrive at the Old Copper Mines, look out for the green water in an old mine shaft. Governors Rock and Library Point are worth a visit the pathway becomes a dirt path so care is advised. If you are lucky enough to be here in Spring time you will see an abundance of Wild Garlic and Bluebells all over this area known as Ross Island. Return to the Hotel via Ross Road and back for a Sunset Drink or a Martin Huggard Craft Beer.

3. Cycling the Gap of Dunloe with a 22 km Boat journey

From the Lake Hotel cycle to the Gap of Dunloe via the Knockreer National park (maps available at reception) to Kate Kearney’s Cottage. The Gap of Dunloe begins here, heading up the Gap past the Lakes and Turnpike Rock to the Head of the Gap. After descending to Lord Brandon’s Cottage passing the Black Valley Church and School. Take time here for lunch the Cottage is in an amazing location looking only at Wilderness. The Boat with your Bike will then travel 22 KM’s to Ross Castle passing Colman's eye, the Eagles Nest, Old Weir Bridge, Meeting of the Waters, The Muckross Lake, Bricin Bridge and on into the Lower Lake.

An alternative to taking the Boat is to Cycle to Moll’s Gap, Ladies View and Muckross House by road this whole trip without the boat is 55 km

There are more trails we can recommend in Killarney and around the outer Killarney areas also.